Home » LAW »» CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE

Open Container - Anyone Had Luck Fighting This Ticket? (CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE)

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:12:00 GMT

My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA

Hello,

I recently received a nontraffic infraction ticket for CA 36-3 "Display of open container."

I was walking with a group of friends from one house party to another in Isle Vista, Santa Barbara County over Halloween and most everyone was carrying beers. Mine was empty, but an on-foot officer stopped the whole group and issued everyone tickets for open containers.

So, has anyone had any success in fighting these? I know with traffic tickets, you can delay court dates and do "trial by mail" basically allowing one to plead not guilty through letters, with out having to go to a court, eventually trying to get it all thrown out. There's also ways to ask for "evidence discovery" or statements from the officer, otherwise the ticket gets thrown out.

Is there any way to do something similar with a non-traffic ticket? Has anyone else had any stories or experience in this situation?

Comments (2) | Promote | Bookmark |

  • Leave a Comment Now.
  • Comments
  • Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:50:00 GMT(1)
  • Quoting surfer349


    I was walking with a group of friends from one house party to another in Isle Vista, Santa Barbara County over Halloween and most everyone was carrying beers. Mine was empty, but an on-foot officer stopped the whole group and issued everyone tickets for open containers.[

    First, it is ISLA VISTA (there is an "a" on the end of ISLA)

    Second, the charge was for the display of an open container (per the SB County Code:
    Sec. 36-3. Display of open containers.
    No person shall have in his or her possession on any public street or other area described in section 36-2 any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing any intoxicating liquor which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed. This section shall not be construed to apply under any circumstances governed or regulated by the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. No. 4055, 1)
    The penalty is a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in county jail ... and it is a misdemeanor, not an infraction.

    Quote:

    There's also ways to ask for "evidence discovery" or statements from the officer, otherwise the ticket gets thrown out.

    I doubt you will have the option of a trial by declaration for this ... you can ask, but I doubt it. This is NOT a traffic offense.

    - Carl
  • Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:06:00 GMT(2)
  • What do you mean by "CA 36-3"? Are you referencing a local ordinance?

    I would expect this to be under California's Business & Professions Code, Sec. 25662.
  • Leave a Comment Now.

CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE Open Questions

Open Container - Anyone had luck fighting this ticket?

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA Hello, I recently received a nontraffic infraction ticket for CA 36-3 "Display of open container." I was walking with a group of friends from one house party to another in Isle Vista, Santa Barbara County over Halloween and most......

Open Container

What is the fine for an open container violation in the state of Nebraska in a public area vs. in a vehicle?...

Open Container

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? AZ Hi my name is Anthony and i recently got an open container charge when my friend made a crazy u-turn. I had weed and a pipe on me and was also drinking a 40 but the cop let me go with my pipe and weed but he said he was just going to charge me......

open container

What is the name of your state? South Carolina My 19 year old son was recently charged with possession of beer by a minor and possession of an open container of beer. My questions 1) are these actually 2 different charges or should ther be one? 2) What he actually had in his car was one empty......

open container

While exiting a military installation I was stopped for random vehicle inspections. I consented without question. During the inspection an empty bottle of liquor was discovered under the passenger seat. (maybe a teaspoon remained in the bottle) I'm retired military so the local authorities were......

Open Container

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia I want to point out that I am in the military. Recently I was in Athens, GA and I received a ticket for an Open Container while I was drinking on the street. Now I was only outside having a cigarette and didn't stray far from the doorway......

open container

i received an summons for an open container of alcohol in new york. i'm not sure if this shows up on your record or not, but i'd like to fight it. at the bottom of the summons is a section for me to sign that says i acknowledge the receipt..... the officer never had me sign this section. does......

open cases

What is the name of your state?missouri i need to open the files from 1962, when all the children 9 in all, were taken from thier parents. how do i petition the court to do this. 2 of the children are now dead, on of which was my husband. but his brother also wants these files opened....

Open Bench Warrant

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?New York and Nevada I am currently on Federal probation in New York. When I was arrested in Nevada for the crime I am now serving 2 years of probation for, a new charge was issued for having a false ID. I appeared one time in regards......

open alcoholic container warrant

What is the name of your state? new york i have an old warrant from 1998, and i want to turn myself in to face it. Should i do this alone or with an legal aid lawyer. Also, what can the judge do I only had an open can of beer....

Some questions maybe you're interest in...

Use of Name in Novel

[Intellectual Property] Is it illegal to use a co-workers name (first and sirname) in a novel without the co-worker's permission? This is in the state of Texas.......

Tax Payer Spending

[Government & Administrative Law] What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New York What is considered appropriate spending by an elected official of a municipality? Can they charge dinner and drinks to the municipality? Can they utilize tax funds for personal purchases even if they pay it back? Where would I find the.........

Changing a Partnership to an LLC

[BUSINESS & FINANCIAL & Corporate LAW] Does anyone know how I would go about changing a partnership of three members to an LLC. Do I just have to fill out a LLC 5.5 form? DO they assign me a new tax ID #? Any info would be appreciated.......

Need Serious Help Here

[Family Law] As it stands the things I have are Joint Legal custody (Implied) Shared residential (50/50 visitation) I provide medical benefits There is no child support (she refused it) Issues She wants more time She will not allow our son's last name to be changed and it is neither mine nor.........

Bankruptcy surrender questions

[BANKRUPTCY & CONSUMER CREDIT] What is the name of your state? Wisconsin We have filed a chap. 7 and we have our creditors meeting on 5/2/05. We are wanting to surrender our current truck that has a high payment and buy another truck with a lower payment. We are wanting to know when is the best time to surrender the vehicle.........

Threat of Losing Job Possibly, HELP!

[Employment & Labor Law] What is the name of your state? va Recently our company won the right to rebid on gov't contracts however, other competitors are allowed to compete. Apparently, these competitors have been actively recruiting and approaching people in my company. One of our program directors held a secret.........

post divorce/property division

[Family Law] What is the name of your state? MA. I'm going to court on Monday for divorce. The soon to be ex and I have divided the property. One of the many things that she is getting an income producing property that has bank loan on and is in my name only. As per the signed separation agreement she has.........

Can The Driver Who Hit Me Now Claim Damages Without An Accident Report

[Insurance Law] I was just in a small acident in a parking lot. I went to make a right turn as someone else was turning into the parking lot. A car behind that sped up and served around them. I stopped to avoid hitting that car and the car behind me bumped into me. I get out and check for damage, which there was.........

Income Earned after Filing

[BANKRUPTCY & CONSUMER CREDIT] YOUR STATE NAME - Michigan Is it true that a trustee is not interested in income earned after the filing date? The reason I ask is this past month I have worked quite a bit of over time and I know this is only temporary. I go to my Chapter 7, 341 meeting on 5/28 and I'm not sure if I need to.........

application for entry of default & entry of default

[COURTS, LAWYERS & LITIGATION] i live in arizona on 3/2/01 i was served with a civil summons. on 3/21/01 i answered the summons & sent a copy of it to the plaintiffs attorney. today i received an application for entry of default & entry of default. what does this mean? they are saying i didn't answer the.........